Individual Details

Bess C. Bursinger, 84, of Tomah, died Friday, Aug. 29, 2003, at Tomah Memorial Hospital. She was born May 29, 1919, in Newberry, S.C., to James and Annie Laurie (Suber) Caldwell. Bess was united in marriage to George P. Bursinger on Feb. 18, 1949, in Newberry, S.C.Bess graduated from Winthrop College and George Peabody College for Teachers (now part of Vanderbilt University). She served as a librarian at Portsmouth Naval Base, Oteen Veterans Administration Hospital (VAH) and the Tomah VAH. She retired as Chief, Library Service, in 1980, after 35 years of service for the VA.Bess was active in community affairs in Tomah. She was past president of both the Shakespeare Club and Beta Sigma Phi women's sorority. After retirement, she performed volunteer work at the Tomah Public Library.Her southern roots in Newberry, S.C., go back to the American Revolution. Her great-grandfather, Joseph Caldwell, was a signatory for the Ordinance of Secession at Charleston, S.C., in 1851. Another great-grandfather, Dr J.M.H. Ruff, was company surgeon for Quitman's Rifles, serving under Gen. Robert E. Lee. Bess' paternal grandmother, Minnie Ruff Caldwell, was frequently referred to as "Mother of Rural Free Delivery," because of her efforts to obtain this postal service in South Carolina.
Bess is survived by one son, Dr. James C. (Joan) Bursinger of Beloit; one daughter, Mary (Keith) Schmelzle of Necedah; three grandsons, Joseph Bursinger of Beloit and Andrew and Michael Schmelzle of Necedah; one granddaughter, Julianne Bursinger of Newberry, S.C.; one brother-in-law, John "Jack" (Carol) Bursinger of Tomah; and one sister-in-law, Ellen (William) Roe of Wauwatosa.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Annie Caldwell; her husband, George, on Oct. 10, 1997; and one granddaughter, Elizabeth Bursinger.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 11 a.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah. Pastor Ed Stigen officiated. Burial followed in St. Mary's Cemetery in Tomah. Family and friends called on Tuesday, Sept. 2, from 9 a.m. until time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Tomah Public Library in memory of Bess.

Birth	29 May 1919	Newberry, Newberry County, South Carolina
Marriage	18 Feb 1949	Newberry, Newberry County, South Carolina - George Peter Bursinger
Death	29 Aug 2003	Tomah, Monroe County, Wisconsin
Burial		Saint Marys Cemetery, Tomah, Monroe County, Wisconsin

Spouse	George Peter Bursinger (1923 - 1997)
Child	Living
Child	Living

Father	James Wilson Caldwell (1888 - 1928)
Mother	Annie Laura Suber (1890 - 1963)